Sichuan Opera master won't give up  

通讯：蓝光临68年的川剧艺术人生

蓝光临经历了新中国初期的川剧发展高峰期和“文革”停滞期，到1978年为邓小平唱戏使川剧解禁，再到改革开放初期川剧的刹那辉煌和迄今未完的彷徨期，蓝光临的68年艺术人生随着川剧近现代的发展历史起起伏伏。

Chengdu (CNS) – Renowned Sichuan Opera performer Lan Guanglin has experienced many ups and downs in the past 68 years.

From the establishment of the Republic of China to the eve of the Cultural Revolution, Sichuan opera enjoyed a prosperous period, during which Lan performed nearly 100 times a year.

But then came the Cultural Revolution, which outlawed traditional opera (although some high officials continued to privately support it).

In 1978, the second year after the revolution, Lan and other famous artists were asked to perform for central government authorities, which initiated the rejuvenation of Sichuan Opera.

However, after the reform and opening-up, traditional opera fell out of favor in modern society. As audiences dwindled, Lan retired from the stage in 2001 at the age of 66.

A decade later, interest in China's cultural industry was revived, and Lan was honored as heir to an intangible cultural heritage of Sichuan Province. Now, despite being 78 years old, he still performs several times a year in a costume weighing 15 kilograms.

Sichuan Opera has attracted an alternative group and Lan's confidence has been restored. However, he says the future of the art form will not be bright until more young actors are trained.